If not now?
Thoughts to contemplate in Chris’ T-shirt, early in the morning, as the muscles loosen up & the day begins with some fast laps on the frozen hamster wheel.
For many years, when it comes to short track I used to agree with Ashley’s t-shirt though-
Short track always seemed like you had to be nuts to do it.
Maybe it is. But in my first few seasons I had neither the proper equipment nor the hip strength & stability to skate safely. Now I have both, and & even though I am far from an expert, for moments it now feels more like Andrea’s t-shirt.
(this is from the coolest t-shirt company on the planet- Threadless.com)
It’s still dangerous though, as I narrowly missed a potentially nasty crash on this day. But now there is control & fantastic moments to be felt & seen.
Like Robert Lawrence leading the group here. Robert’s skating so strong right now, coach Kooreman had him lead several 25 lap sets. Ouch.
I don’t have a helmet cam, but someday hope to, and I will send pictures of what it feels like to be in this agile & eternal turn.
Till then, this is the closest I can get. A group this size creates a sizeable wind blast as they rip by.
Skating circles & circles & circles on that frozen hamster wheel.
Your perspective within the circle often changes because of other circles.
Like this tungsten wedding ring newly worn on the hand of sprint LT national team member Chris Needham.
Congrats Chris!!
Maybe short track will always truly be a sport for the young and fearless, those who have not gone headfirst into the wall too many times, Chris himself transitioned to long track because of severe short track injuries.
However on those moments when you lean over, touch your hand to the ice, defy normal physics, and rip around that turn, it’s a rush like nothing else.
(note to self: remember- you can’t lean over that far when cornering hard on a bike…)
Filed under: from home
First off…Congrats, Chris!
Now, since when is ST for only the young ones? Andrew, didn’t you and I start skating on ice in ‘02? We were 31, then. You had Lake Placid, sure. But all I had was ST in Tacoma. Another thing, sure it is, in a way, a thrill to “touch the ice,” but doesn’t that action momentarily risk how much pressure is on the ice. It’s even more of a thril to be “that leaned over” where you could touch the ice, but just ride out the turn and a low lean.
Andrea, how are those workouts? Bit more difficult than the springs or littleton?
Skeeler,
you are right on both counts… I was very tired when I wrote & photoshopped that post….
ST is not just for “the young ones” any more than racing criteriums on a bicycle is. However there are perspectives and realization of consequences that do come with the many crashes that come along with years of racing.
also, as to the hand on the ice thing… again, I am far from a short track expert, but I don’t think it risks losing pressure, I think it guides pressure..
But the trick, as far as I understand it, is to NOT put your hand there if you can avoid it, unless you are skating sub/low 10 second laps, it’s not a good idea
It still feels awesome though, the first time I did a technically correct pivot.. wow.. what a FEELING !!!!!!
my doctor told me that i can’t skate short track because i’m not allowed to do contact sports anymore. something about having ligaments so loose that when i crash i have a higher risk of tearing everything because all my limbs fall out of joint so easily. or something.
I had my first experience on a velodrome today at kenosha. I did get some pretty tight corners, not short track mind you, but i was certainly leaning farther than i ever had with a bike. I’ve definitely found my favorite thing to do on a bike, though the idea of racing with a whole bunch of people on a track like that does not really appeal to me… something about my propensity for crashing and all that skin falling off… eesh.
-the crash
Bri! You still in CO? I’m loving Mikey’s program so far. It’s definitely way harder than the Ice Ranch!
[…] Andrew Love- When & Who? Posted on June 23, 2008 by peterdoucet Andrew Love put up an entry called If Not Now?. […]
Yeh I would imagine so. The ice ranch and world arena were and are recreational. But yeh, I’m still in CO until I either go to WI or SLC whenever the national squad gets back to the US.
crash,
K-town velo! My old home track! Yes, track cycling IS a blast, and like my dad said, if you don’t want to get crashed out, you either got to ride out in front all the time or be off the back! Fortunately I’ve never been taken out in a track race, but it does get kinda scary sometimes…Now that race and train in Blaine MN at the olympic-styled velo here, though, I tend to agree with the joke that Kenosha is a closed-curcuit road course! The turns are so tight that riding fast around them puts you in a short-track type lean and you’ve got to be prepared for the g-force induced headrush.
Andrew, I think the ST headcam would be awesome!
Started at 55, not fearless, not fast, but still having a blast. My theory? Getting a headstart on my next life as a ST champion 0_0
Andrea! Hope you’re having a blast out there! I’ll come visit when I’m better.
HAMSTERS ARE COOL!
Hello,Chris
I really like the tungsten ring that you have on the picture. If don’t mind me askind where did you get it,i’m trying to find a ring that is simple and has good looks to it. Have a great life and fun MARRIAGE.
Jorge,
I will forward your request on to Chris, I personally wear a titanium wedding ring, made by titanium arts, and if I can’t scratch or break it, it’s not breakable.
thnks for the image you have taken for your tungsten ring… that shows your love with it even you r busy in your game… i love tungsten ring and following it from last two years…
regards
cleon dann